A leaking chimney causes a lot of inconvenience while leading to notable structural damages whenever not addressed promptly. While the weather turns to frost, you might have already started your fireplace and then started finding several issues related to your chimney. Identifying chimney leaking earlier on remains important to safeguard your home from any significant damage, growth of moulds, and even the risk of fire outbreaks. In our post today, we are going to help guide you on ways to identify the signs of a leaking chimney right before the issues take a turn for the worse, necessitating on-time chimney repair services conducted by professionals.
What is a Chimney Leak?
Chimney leaks are inevitable whenever water enters the chimney system through high-risk points, such as damaged bricks, faulty chimney flashing, or cracks within the mortar joints. Various factors, including serious weather conditions, age, lack of upkeep, and bad construction, deteriorate the chimneys.
Whenever water finds its route into the chimneys, it impacts the whole system. Water starts seeping into the masonry leading to damages over time. It even leads to possible safety threats, including carbon monoxide leakages. Furthermore, penetrating water leads to rusting the damper along with the other metal parts, which affects the integrity and structure of the chimneys. Hiring professional roofing contractors can help fix some common roofing problems.
Signs of a Leaking Chimney
The signs of a leaking chimney often start as a small one but turn into a major one due to the lack of preventative approaches. Knowing about the general signs of leaking chimneys can help you avoid the expensive repairs leading to more damage. So, here we are going to share a few common signs of a leaking chimney.
Water Stains on the Ceiling or Walls
The presence of water stains on the walls or the ceiling near the chimney is the sureshot indication of chimney leaks. Such stains often appear in the form of yellowish-brown patches that continue to grow when the leaks are not addressed immediately. If you find such stains, then it is important to identify their source and hire chimney repair services to address the issue.
In a couple of instances, the water stains often accompany the peeling of the wallpaper or paint, indicating leakage. Addressing the issues immediately will prevent further damage to the interior of your home. Water stains can also appear due to roof leaks, so it is important to hire a roofing contractor who will perform a no-obligation, free site survey to determine the right solution.
Damp or Musty Smell
A musty or damp odour arising out of the fireplace areas and their surrounding walls may indicate water infiltration. The odour is typically caused by mould growth that results from excessive moisture. Once you detect any lurking musty smell, it is important to get your chimney professionally inspected for leaks. Furthermore, any unpleasant smell might be out of mould growth that puts the life of you and your family at risk. The mould spores lead to respiratory and allergic issues, and it is essential to address the key source of the moisture immediately.
Rust on Firebox or Damper
If you find any corrosion or rust present on the damper or the firebox, it may be due to a chimney leak. The existence of water would lead the metallic parts to deteriorate with time. The rusty dampers or fireboxes should be assessed by the expert chimney technicians offering roof repair services can help in determining the cause behind this issue. The rusty parts affect the structural integrity of your chimney while posing a huge fire threat. It is important to get these issues addressed immediately ensuring the safer operations of the fireplace.
White Staining on the Chimney Exterior
Discoloration of white substance or efflorescence at the outside part of the chimneys is indicative of water invasion. Efflorescence is widely thought of as the crystalline deposit of the material that remains after the water has evaporated – the residue of the minerals on the surface. Also, when you observe white stains around the chimneys, you have to trace where water is penetrating from. Efflorescence affects the looks of the chimney and is behind the damaged bricks and mortars.
Efflorescence on the Chimney Bricks
Efflorescence affects the bricks used in construction and the white residue on the entire surface of the chimneys. Otherwise, there are obvious white deposits on the bricks that indicate infiltrated moisture, which professionals should treat. The buildup of efflorescence on the bricks affects the appearance of the chimneys and slightly varies the construction from time to time. A complete inspection can be very useful in establishing the root cause of the moisture and minimising further losses.
Deteriorating Mortar Joints
If you notice any problems with the mortar joints, such as missing or loose mortar, it is important to fix them to avoid worsening the situation for the chimney. Worn-out mortar joints pose another problem for the chimney since they weaken the structure and will break down easily. When choosing a roofer, the right roofing contractors should solve the problems to keep your home safe.
Conclusion
Staines on walls could be just cracks in the structure, but they become large problems for your home if the chimney leaks. It is still relevant to find out the surest symptoms of a leaking chimney and take the right steps to avoid a repeat in the future. Appropriate chimney repairs and maintenance services provided by experts can maintain the chimneys in their best state. Roofing contractors based at Sterling Roofing Contractors Ltd will determine the exact problem that is causing leakage on the specific chimney you bring to us. Contact us today to learn about the benefits of hiring our chimney repair professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Leaking Chimney Affect My Home’s Structural Integrity?
If not fixed on time, a leaking chimney can dampen ceilings, walls, and even the underfloor of the house. This is mainly because constant water infiltration may cause the structure to degrade while encouraging mould formation. Chimney leaks should be repaired as soon as possible with the assistance of professional repair contractors.
Why Should I Hire Sterling Roofing Contractors Ltd for Chimney Repairs?
Sterling Roofing Contractors Ltd. is the premier provider of roofing and chimney repair services in the market. Our professional team has vast experience analysing emerging trends and determining the best measures to ensure your property’s security.
How Often Should I Have My Chimney Inspected?
As the best roofing contractors, we recommend performing chimney and roof inspections at least once a year. We will conduct the necessary tests and investigations to ascertain where losses and possible damage are occurring so that you can minimise your expenses and avoid major losses. Contact us today to learn more about our services.